Category: First Light Cruising

We’ve been spending a few days in Port Angeles mostly hanging out and getting the boat squared away. We did see a couple of newly released movies at the local bijou, Top Gun & Downton Abbey, and enjoyed them both. We like Port Townsend so we decided to go there for lunch and to check out the R2AK boats (didn’t see many) and fortunately missed the monsoon from the day before. The weather has been mixed and on the cool side with an improving forecast. We are ready for some warmer temps.

Moored near First Light was the racing sled Peligroso, a Kernan 68. The boat is here for the Vic-Maui which starts July 4th & 6th.

Next to the marina is a manufacturing facility for Westport Yachts. They build up to 172′ megayachts. This is the 500-ton Travelift that handles these boats. I would guess the tires are close to 6′ tall.

Today we are leaving Port Angeles and headed north. This is the first day we have had clear skies and the sunrise was spectacular.

We plan to spend a few days in the San Juan’s before we clear into Canada. We have food that cannot be taken in so no eating out for a few days. Next stop Roche Harbor.

It has been a busy winter & spring getting the boat ready for the cruising season.  Surprisingly, our engine required extensive repairs to the oil and water-cooling systems due to corrosion that stretched out to two months to get completed.  The water heater and refrigeration system have been replaced.  New sound insulation in the engine compartment has been installed and 350 watts of solar panels have been added.  Standard maintenance items are complete so this week it is time to provision, load, and go.

We left Portland on a Sunday around noon and took our time getting to Astoria by overnighting on the float at Walker Island. Our good friends Bob Martin and Bruce Bloch are again helping us get the boat to Port Angeles. Bob & Ginny prepared a fantastic roast lamb meal. Great company and food and plenty of wine and spirits turned the evening into a perfect start to our trip north.

We had nice weather from Portland to Astoria and the river is running high so lots of current pushing us west. The Columbia bar was flat with a 1.5 kt. ebb and the first half day up the coast was easy with a light NE wind. In the afternoon, the wind clocked to the SE and the speed built into the upper teens, peaking at 24 kts. late in the night. Needless to say, the following seas made for a sporty ride. Overall, the trip went fast, and it was nice to finally get back up north.

Upon arrival in Port Angeles our good friend Harry Braunstein was there to get Bob and Bruce back to Portland the next day. As it turned out Mark needed to return to Portland for a doctor’s appointment, so we rented a car and headed back home.

Our route was from Portland down the Columbia River to Astoria, then up the Washington coast and Strait of Juan de Fuca to Port Angeles. Total distance 295 nautical miles, 42.8 hours, 6.9 kts. average speed.

Next Stop — San Juan Islands